President Trump Blasts Putin and Zelenskyy Over Ukraine War Stalemate

• President Trump Criticizes Putin and Zelenskyy
• Push for Truce Between Russia and Ukraine
• Russian Drones Strike Kharkiv

U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out Sunday at Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid ongoing efforts to negotiate a truce in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump gave an interview to NBC News, expressing anger toward both leaders.

«I’m angry, upset,» the president said, referring to Putin’s recent remarks questioning Zelenskyy’s legitimacy to sign a peace deal.

Though Trump stated that “we are making a lot of progress,” he admitted that “there’s tremendous hatred” between the two presidents.

Trump Threatens Sanctions, Surprises With Criticism of Putin and Zelenskyy

This tension, he added, could complicate the negotiations he has promised to accelerate during his campaign.

Trump even hinted at the possibility of new sanctions on Russia and additional tariffs targeting its oil exports.

His remarks drew attention, as he rarely criticizes Putin publicly.

However, he has also questioned Zelenskyy’s credibility at times.

Trump has suggested Ukraine provoked the conflict that began with Russia’s invasion three years ago.

He has repeatedly insisted that Zelenskyy should call elections—despite Ukraine’s constitution prohibiting them under martial law.

Related: Bukele Says Deportees from U.S. to El Salvador Are “Murderers” and “Criminals”

While returning to Washington, Trump slightly softened his stance on Putin.

«I don’t think he’ll back down,» he said. «I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve always gotten along well.»

Asked about a potential ceasefire deadline, he referred to a “psychological deadline.”

“I won’t be happy if I think we’re being played,” he emphasized.

He then turned his criticism back to the Ukrainian leader.

“He’s trying to back out of the rare earth agreement,” Trump warned.

“And if he does, he’s going to have trouble. Big, big trouble.”

The two leaders were set to sign the agreement during Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House, but it ended in a televised dispute in the Oval Office.

Trump implied that Zelenskyy wanted to renegotiate the deal for stronger security guarantees.

“He wants to be in NATO,” Trump said. “Well, he was never going to be in NATO. He knows that.”

The U.S. continues to press for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia after three years of war.

Russia has already rejected a U.S. proposal for a 30-day pause in fighting.

A partial ceasefire in the Black Sea also appears unlikely, as the Kremlin imposed broad conditions.

Russian attacks on Ukraine continue.

Russian drones struck a military hospital, shopping center, and residential buildings in Kharkiv on Saturday night, killing two and injuring dozens.

Ukraine’s General Staff called it a “deliberate and targeted bombing” of the military hospital.

Among the victims were “servicemen receiving treatment,” according to the report.

Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed the deaths of a 67-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman.

Military analysts warn Russia could soon launch a new offensive to pressure Kyiv.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 111 drones and decoys Sunday night.

Sixty-five were intercepted, while 35 were likely lost due to electronic interference.

On Sunday, Zelenskyy reported that “most regions of Ukraine” had come under attack in the past week.

On X, he detailed that Russia had launched “1,310 guided air bombs, over 1,000 attack drones—mainly ‘Shaheds’—and nine missiles of various types, including ballistic.”

Zelenskyy repeated his warning that “Russia is prolonging the war.”

He had already stated in Paris: “Russia is dragging out ceasefire talks just to buy time and then try to seize more territory.”

Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses shot down six Ukrainian drones.

They also stated that Russian forces had captured a village in Donetsk, though this could not be independently verified.

Ukraine has not commented on the report.

SOURCE: AP

TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST OF THIS AND OTHER NEWS, CLICK THE IMAGE